Plungers are inexpensive, easy-to-use household tools that have a variety of uses around the house including cleaning clogged kitchen sink drains, de-clogging hair from sinks and toilets, and keeping drains free of debris by flushing out jets on your pipes every now and then.
Plungers come in different shapes and sizes to perform a specific type of declogging. In this article, we explore the different types of plungers and where to use them in your home.
Major Types of Plungers
1. Standard (Sink) Plunger
A standard (sink) plunger is a domestic tool used to remove stopped-up drains.
A sink plunger is typically a long, dome-shaped rubber cup that’s inserted into the sink drain in order to create an airtight seal and trap water or liquid from coming up through it.
It is the common and basic type of plunger in the home as it can be used for a variety of sinks due to the simple cup design.
The plunger creates an airtight seal over the drain, creating enough pressure with the top of the plunger to clear whatever catches water in the pipes below it.
This can be accomplished by pushing down on top of the air gaps that form in your sink’s hole, as well as evenly squeezing all around its body until you feel your grip loosen and release.
The pump pulls water from under it up through, efficiently removing any debris accumulation therein. for more on this, consider reading how to use the standard plunger correctly.
2. Flange (Toilet) Plunger
A flange plunger is a type of plunger in plumbing equipment, designed to fit into the concave area under a toilet and form an airtight seal. That is why it is also known as the toilet plunger.
They come in different sizes and lengths, depending on the size of the toilet’s opening.
One quick way to resolve a problem with liquid backing up into your toilet is for you to take a flange plunger or two (depending on how big your toilets are) and place it into a space where there should be no water buildup, then press firmly down on it until all water and debris are flushed away.
With many toilets, if you remove all this standing water in order to reach any blockages that might exist below it, then you have solved your problem.
RELATED: How to use a flange plunger to unclog a blocked toilet.
3. Accordion (Bellows) Plunger
Though both accordion and flange plungers may be found in homes, the accordion plunger is far less frequent.
However, while it has an additional flap at the bottom that features a flange plunger, it also has an accordion-like form, providing a higher amount of pressure to assist in removal.
When you use the accordion plunger on a toilet clog, you’ll have to add water to the toilet bowl to make the plunger effective.
Simply twist the handle ¼” to the left to open the air hole and then flush the blockages. The air from the bellows prevents water in the toilet bowl from spilling onto the floor as the plunger is inserted and the bellows fill with water.
4. Taze Plunger
A taze plunger is usually characterized by a straight metal rod with a tiny disc attached to it. The disc itself is just the right size to go within the tube.
In reality, when it is introduced, it should make contact with the walls of the pipe thereby creating high pressure when pushed.
This tremendous pressure ultimately destroys or forces the clog out of the way, allowing it to be removed from the pipe, which is generally done by a flowing trap.
When purchased, a taze plunger may come with a number of discs, or extra discs of the right size can be purchased to accommodate pipes of different sizes.
Steel is required for the rod because other metals, such as aluminum or copper, do not have the strength to keep their form while the taze plunger is in operation.
5. Automatic Plunger
An Automatic plunger is a mechanical device that opens and closes automatically.
It is designed to clear a clogged toilet with one push. It remains at the bottom of the bowl until sufficient water has been poured in to initiate its function.
Once it receives all necessary water, it will automatically open and allow for smooth, maximum suction of every low within seconds.
This unique design allows you to keep your hands clean while acting as an environmentally responsible device – newer models even have a filter system to keep bacteria from spreading from one toilet bowl to another.
Conclusion
Plungers are an essential tool for any home. There is a variety of plungers to choose from, so the best one for you depends on your needs and preferences. We hope this blog post has helped make it easier to find the perfect plunger that fits your household’s needs
READ ABOUT: The reviews of best plungers to unclog blocked kitchen sinks.
